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The Orange County Fire Authority is asking residents of fire prone canyon, urban, and coastal areas to take the necessary steps to ensure that their properties meet the, ‘Vegetation Management Maintenance Guidelines’.

Many of the high wildfire risk areas are also some of the most beautiful areas in Orange County and throughout other areas of California too. In many cases the scenic beauty is the exact reason why people choose to live where they do. Each year, thousands of acres of wild land and hundreds of homes are destroyed by wildfires. It is up to you, the property owner, to take responsibility by preparing your home/property. By taking the appropriate step with Vegetation Management, you will be closer to ensuring your home’s survivability and your family’s safety.

What is Vegetation Management?

Vegetation Management is the controlling of plant materials for the prevention of fire spread. Vegetation Management is simply removing dead and dying fuels, thinning heavy brush, and trimming trees that could contribute to a fire’s spread toward your home.

Vegetation Management practices includes:

Increasing the moisture content of the vegetation.

Decreasing the vegetation within 100′ of your home.

Shortening plant height. Keeping plants within 10′ of a building to below 2′.

Altering the arrangement of plants.

Installing plants that use less water.

Four R‘s in Vegetation Management:

Removal

Remove all dead vegetation with 100′ of your home.

Remove all plants found on the undesirable plant list.

Reduction

Reduce the amount of vegetation by pruning and thinning within 100′ of your home.

Trees and shrubs need to be pruned to provide separation.

Plants within 10′ of your home should be 2′ or lower to prevent flame length.

Replacement

Remove highly combustible plants within 100′ of your home.

When installing new plants make sure to install them with proper spacing and mature plant size in mind.

Resistant

Use fire resistive plants whenever possible.

Keep in mind that if you are using the recommended plants, it is still imperative that you still reduce the amount of plant material by thinning by utilizing the spacing guidelines for both vertical separation and horizontal separation.

Many people do not view the plants that grow on their property as a threat. But in terms of a wildfire, what is growing adjacent to your home or dwelling can have considerable influence on the survivability. All vegetation, including naturally occurring native plants and ornamental plants in the residential landscape, is a potential fuel for a wildfire. If the vegetation is properly spaced and maintained, a wildfire can be slowed down, the flame lengths are reduced, and the amount of heat reduced, all of which contribute to your house or dwelling surviving a wildfire.

The success of wildfire preparedness, ‘Vegetation Maintenance’ and more importantly, its ability to reduce multiple structure loss and the high probability of fatalities, depends on each property owner’s aggressive participation in the removal of vegetation around their property. It’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ the next wildfire will occur in Orange County. Through advanced planning and preparation we can all be ready for wildfire.

Prunin Arboriculture and Landscapes can assist you with each step of this process. Our certified Arborists can assist you with assessment of current trees, shrubs and plants that you have on your property, and make the proper suggestions to ensure that you meet the recommends guidelines. We have crews standing by to assist you with your ‘Vegetation Maintenance’ and to ensure that your property is prepared.

Call today for a FREE consultation and for more information on how Prunin Arboriculture and Landscapes can help you with your, ‘Vegetation Maintenance’.